Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

BACKGROUND:

Little data are available about risk factors for AL after laparoscopic rectal cancer resection.

METHODS:

This was a retrospective analysis of 1609 patients with rectal cancer who had undergone laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer with sphincter preservation. Clinical data related to AL were collected from 11 institutions. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the risk factors for AL.

CONCLUSIONS:

Male sex, low anastomosis, preoperative chemoradiation, advanced tumor stage, perioperative bleeding, and multiple firings of the linear stapler increased the risk of AL after laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer. A diverting stoma might be mandatory in patients with 2 or more of the risk factors identified in this analysis.